Travel Ball / High School Gear (Ages 12–18)
At this level, gear performance matters and leagues have strict certification requirements. Get it right.
Budget (~$200–350)
| Item | What to Look For | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Glove (11″–13″) | Quality leather, position-appropriate | $60–100 |
| Bat (BBCOR for HS, USSSA for travel) | Aluminum alloy BBCOR or composite USSSA | $50–120 |
| Helmet | NOCSAE dual-ear or single-ear (league rules) | $25–40 |
| Cleats (molded or metal) | Molded for travel, metal for HS | $35–60 |
| Batting gloves | Mid-tier pair | $15–25 |
| Cup + compression | Always | $15–25 |
| Bat bag | Full-size bat bag | $25–40 |
| Sunglasses | Sport-specific | $15–25 |
Estimated total: $240–435
Mid-Range (~$450–700)
| Item | What to Look For | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Glove | Wilson A2000, Rawlings Heart of the Hide, Mizuno Pro Select | $150–250 |
| Bat (BBCOR) | DeMarini The Goods, Marucci CAT X, Louisville Meta | $150–300 |
| Helmet | Rawlings Mach Matte, EvoShield XVT Scion | $40–60 |
| Cleats (metal) | New Balance, Mizuno, Under Armour metal | $50–90 |
| Batting gloves | Bruce Bolt, Marucci Signature | $25–45 |
| Cup + compression set | Quality compression shorts + cup | $20–30 |
| Bat bag | Large wheeled equipment bag | $40–80 |
| Elbow guard | EvoShield, G-Form | $20–35 |
Estimated total: $495–890
Premium (~$800–1,200+)
| Item | What to Look For | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Glove | Wilson A2K, Rawlings Pro Preferred, custom order | $250–400+ |
| Bat (BBCOR) | Top-tier — Louisville Meta, DeMarini CF, Marucci CATX Vanta | $300–500 |
| Helmet | Custom-fit, premium ventilation | $50–80 |
| Cleats (metal) | Premium metal — Mizuno Pro, New Balance FuelCell | $80–140 |
| Batting gloves | Premium pair + backup pair | $50–90 |
| Full compression set | Shorts, shirt, arm sleeve | $40–60 |
| Equipment bag | Premium rolling bag with separate compartments | $60–120 |
| Elbow guard + shin guard | Full batter protection set | $35–60 |
| Training aids at home | Tee, net, L-screen, weighted balls | $100–200 |
Estimated total: $965–1,650
The glove and bat are the two that matter most. A premium glove lasts 5+ years with care. A BBCOR bat is required for HS — check the specific model your kid's team recommends.